I can't find it offhand, but I seem to recall linking to a Frank Zappa interview some years back where he made a similar criticism toward Libertarianism: he noted that the Libertarian Party supported giving land back to indigenous tribes, but also opposed imminent domain, and that of course the two positions are irreconcilable.

Zappa was probably closer to a Libertarian than any other political party (he favored a flat tax, and of course his views on drugs and free speech where very Libertarian-y), but this was one of several examples of why he wouldn't have made a very good Libertarian either. He also favored sin taxes and government funding for the arts.

<Rylinks> it seems strange to argue that verlander is a more valuable asset than three prospects because verlander won the WS and the prospects haven't done anything yet<Rylinks> if i trade a bond that matures in 2025 for one that matures tomorrow, and they're trading at the same value, would I owe taxes on that? <Rylinks> It doesn't seem like I should<fmm> barry bonds matured ages ago

A painful reminder that the issue isn't popular opinion, it's that the douchebags with the unpopular opinion can be outnumbered 2-to-1 and not be put in a goddam box because everyone else is too nervous and disorganized to do anything about it.

What always gets me is the sense that THEY'RE just as frustrated about it as WE are. Their favorite barbs and insults always focus on their enemies' passiveness and indecision. I always feel like I'm looking myself as a troubled teenager, during those times when I knew the hormones were making me lose control but my parents weren't correcting me in any way so I'd just cause as much shit as I possibly could so they'd be forced to do something. I don't think that's an original observation or anything but... fuck, like, WHY ARE WE STILL JUST STANDING HERE WATCHING?

Well, that and helplessness in the face of a giant bureaucratic, armed, near-omniscient hivemind that can crush you without even noticing or caring, never mind if you deliberately antagonize it!

When even Senators and Congressmen - who can at least go down and yell at ICE dudes and try to get in to see detainees without being arrested and disappeared (for now) - basically achieve nothing when acting on an individual basis, I can't blame a regular schmuck for feeling powerless, sitting around and hoping that someone "with the power to do something" will actually do so. They've forgotten they are the power. They've forgotten than if you want reps who do their jobs and pass laws which aren't odious crimes against humanity, then you need to, you know, actually participate in the political process, whether this means voting... or organizing a riot (pitchforks are okay, but please, no tiki torches).

Those LEADING the political process also need to step up and stop mincing words. I mean, we keep calling it "Baby Jail", but wouldn't it be nice to hear an actual fucking public figure call it that? Seriously, the Republicans said fuck you to ~decorum~ thirty or forty years ago. The Obama-style strategy of trying to force a return to civility has failed pathetically, so it's time to drop what clearly isn't working and call shit what it is, in terms as blunt as possible. The more obliquely this shit is referred to, the easier it is to rationalize.